Weekly Green FOGO Bin Trial

Given the positive results, Council has indicated support for expanding the trial service to the full Wednesday Collection in mid-2026, subject to the 2025/26 budgetary approval processes. In the meantime, the weekly green bin collection will continue in the trial area until the end of June 2025.

This approach supports the positive progress made in diverting waste from landfill during the first 12 months of the trial, while improving Council and East Waste’s understanding on the service logistics using information from a larger area.

You can read the full Council report here.

For more information on the trial, please visit the Council website page, or contact one of our friendly customer service team 8366 9222.

A feedback survey was sent to all properties in the trial area in September 2024.

The survey was conducted to understand;

• The general experience of those on the Weekly FOGO kerbside collection
• The effectiveness of the communication materials and approach
• Concerns, challenges and benefits of the Weekly FOGO service
• Why participants chose to take up trial options
• Any changes in the kerbside waste volume
• The acceptance of continuing the Weekly FOGO service

Response was received from 12% of the trial area.

• Most respondents were:
  • Residents, not businesses (98%)
  • Aged between 25 and 74 years (80%)
  • From households with 4 persons or less (93%)
  • From households that did not have anyone who required nappies (83%).
• Business response to the consultation was limited with the three responses representing 4% of all business properties in the trial area.

Results of the feedback survey found:

• Experience with the Weekly FOGO Trial service overall was positive (81%). Comments that explained the benefits of the service included; the reduced smell from the FOGO bin as it was collected weekly, weekly removal of garden waste and reduced waste sent to landfill. Comments from those who were dissatisfied with the trial service (19%) included; that the landfill bins were too full after a fortnight, concerns with smell and pests.
• A significant percentage of those still participating in the trial saw a change in the waste volume and compilation of the kerbside bins. They reported more food waste in the green FOGO bin (44%), less material in the landfill bin (32%) and no change in garden waste in the FOGO bin (71%). Respondents who had opted out of the trial did not see any change in the amount of material in their kerbside bins.
• Respondents reported that the main items that were disposed in the landfill bin were items generally referred to as “not suitable for the green or yellow bin” or “garbage/rubbish” (53%). Specific items that were identified include soft plastics (31%) and personal hygiene products (19%).
• A majority of respondents (55%) support the continuation of the weekly green FOGO bin collection service at the end of the trial period. Less than a quarter of the respondents (22%) are against continuing the weekly FOGO collection service past the trial period. While others were ambivalent (15%) and unsure (4%).
• All three businesses who responded to the survey did not support the continuation of the Weekly FOGO Service at the end of the trial expressing that the service was of no benefit to their business due to the type of waste that was generated through the business.

The full report is available in the Trial documents area of this webpage.

A Kerbside Audit of the trial area was conducted in August 2024. The analysis was based on representative samples from residential properties.

In general, it was found that households who were on the Weekly FOGO service produced less waste and sent less waste to landfill. Waste that is diverted from landfill is recycled or composted. Those who were on the Weekly FOGO service achieved an average landfill diversion rate of 72%. This is a significant increase when compared to the pretrial average of 51%. Households who had opted out and returned to the weekly landfill collection, produced almost twice as much waste by weight. These households had an average diversion rate of 28%.

It remains unclear whether these outcomes are due to the trial naturally attracting households with a more sustainable waste separation mindset, or if the trial itself has successfully influenced behaviour change. What is clear, however, is that the Weekly FOGO model has the potential to significantly help the Council meet the state's waste diversion targets, set at 70% diversion by 2025, something that would be much more challenging to achieve through Community education alone.

It is also noted in the audit report that while there is an increase in landfill waste diversion, there is also a higher level of contamination in the FOGO bin among trial participants. The main type of contamination was food waste still in packaging or in plastic bags. This indicates a gap in participant understanding and presents an opportunity for education.

The full report is available in the Trial documents area of this webpage.

In partnership with East Waste we’re excited to commence a 12 month trial of a weekly Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service. The trial aims to encourage the correct use of current 3-bin system by supporting our community to put food and garden organics in the green FOGO bin and send less waste to landfill.

From Wednesday 1 May, approximately 1,200 households and businesses in part of Campbelltown will have a switch in their bin collections.

All households, multi-unit dwellings and businesses within the area bordered by Atkell Avenue, Clairville Road, Newton Road, Gorge Road and Lower North-East Road are included in the trial. Note, for streets on the edge of the trial (coloured purple on the map), across the road is not part of the trial, as this will be picked up by a different truck.

What’s Next

All those in the trial area will receive a welcome letter from 2 April 2024 and a Welcome Pack will be delivered during the week of 8 April.

Packs will include an information booklet, kitchen caddy, compostable bags, and new waste collection calendars.

Further Information

Further information is available from Council's Customer Service Team (T: 8366 9222; E: weeklyfogo@campbelltown.sa.gov.au) and the list of Frequently Asked Questions.

There will be opportunities to get extra support and help to resolve any concerns or questions prior to the trial starting. We are holding information sessions in April for all to come along and have a chat and find out more.

We encourage you to “Give Weekly FOGO a GoGo!” and try the new service. We understand changing bin behaviours takes time, and we are looking forward to supporting residents during the trial.